VINELAND — The Board of Education approved a $198.8 million budget draft that calls for personnel cuts and slashes after-school programs at elementary and middle schools while holding the tax rate stable.

District officials cautioned the 2013-14 plan is a starting point that likely will be revised several times before the March 26 deadline. A state deadline required the district to submit a balanced budget to the Cumberland County Superintendent’s Office on Thursday.

Board President Eugene Medio set some ground rules as the board, administration and public work toward a final plan. Don’t ask for things to be reinstated without suggesting an equal cut elsewhere to keep the spending plan balanced, he said.

Among the $3.2 million in tentative cuts:

• 12 teaching positions, including four in the music departments at the elementary and middle schools.

• 5 cafeteria aides.

• 8 instructional coaches.

• A child study team.

The board didn’t review the spending draft at its meeting Wednesday. But a discussion about hiring a district science supervisor served as a microcosm of the district’s financial situation.

Several board members balked at hiring someone at a $96,894 salary and benefits when other positions may be cut.

With the district facing a $5 million shortfall and escalating costs, board Vice President Susanne Morello said it would irresponsible to hire someone without a long-range financial plan in place.

If the board agrees to hire a new supervisor, Morello questioned what would happen if the board later opted to consolidate positions. The new hire would be the first to go.

Superintendent Mary Gruccio called the science supervisor position, previously held by Stephen Dantinne, a critical position and told the board she cut two other positions in order to maintain this one.

“We are at the point where we have cut so many supervisors that we can’t cut any further if curriculum and instruction are going to be a priority, Gruccio said.

Supervisors write curriculum, make sure it’s being implemented correctly, develop model lessons plans and work on professional development opportunities.

(Page 2 of 2)

Nathan Frey, the district’s assistant superintendent of instruction, has been helping out with science supervisor duties. He called the position a “vision and voice of science education in our district — its what’s going to drive us into the future.”

Board members noted there are nine supervisors, including two for special education and one for athletics.

Board member Tom Ulrich said it is a misconception that the school district is supervisor-heavy.

“We are not,” he said, noting the salary was set through a negotiated agreement with Vineland Administrators and Supervisors Association.

Medio suggested assigning some of the science duties to current supervisors until the district’s finances are in order.

“It’s very unfair to put someone into a position knowing there’s a chance that they will not have that job a year from now,” Medio said, calling for a fundamental change of attitude among board members and the administration when it comes to the budget.

“We are not in a restaurant deciding if we want fillet or lobster for dinner,” Medio said. “We don’t have any food.”

Ulrich noted the district should consider a 2 percent tax increase, which is permitted under the state cap guidelines, noting local taxpayers are contributing $21 million toward the budget.

The school district can raise the tax levy by about $425,000 without having to seek voter approval.

When former Gov. Jon Corzine passed a new school funding formula, districts were informed what deemed their fair share. Vineland taxpayers’ fair share was set at about $42 million, Ulrich said, noting other communities in the state are getting mad about having to pay for Vineland students’ education.

“We should have done a penny increase to generate revenue and keep up with spending,” he said.

Ulrich also noted Medio had been quoted in The Daily Journal earlier this week saying a tax increase was unlikely this year. That was not discussed by the full board, Ulrich said.

“If the board feels there is a need for it, that’s something you can bring up and it can be voted on,” Medio said.

Ulrich reminded Medio how last year he was calling for funds to be spent on things like banquets. This year, Ulrich suggested taking a “long hard look at athletic costs.”

In the choice between academics and athletics, Ulrich said, academics must come first.

Sports programs are not going to get a person anywhere unless that student is a star athlete, Ulrich said, adding academics will help them get into a real world job.

But Medio countered athletics also provide life skills, such as teamwork and following directions.

You will automatically receive the TheDailyJournal.com Top 5 daily email newsletter. If you don't want to receive this newsletter, you can change your newsletter selections in your account preferences.